Road machine



Jan. 29, 1935.,

y cjA, Gu'rAEsoN Y RQAD'MACHI'NE Filed Oct. 8. 1932 2 sheets-$11961; v1

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CM1. AGUSAFSbN A *TTOM v Nl/wrox CML' 4561517355011 'Y BY f 2 sheets-Shasta t.:A A GUsTAFsoN ROAD MACHINE Fned oct 8, 1932 w o u Jan. 29, 1935.

Patentes Jan. 29,1935 n i l1,989,274

lUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE noso Machine Carl A. Gustafson,"Minneapolis, Minn., assignor i to Caterpillar Tractor Co., San Leandro, Calif., a corporation o! California Application October 8, 1932, Serial No. 636,858

ze claims. (ci. 31-143) This invention relates to road machines, and the right end bit lfor application to the right more particularly to cutting sections for grader end of a moldboard; is formed dierently from `biades. This application is a continuation in the left end bit. A smaller stock ior replacepart of my application Serial No. v617,291, filed ment is also permissible with the interchange- June 15, 1932, relating. to Road machines. able cutting sections.

In road machines having a grader blade adapt- It is an object of the invention to provide intered for a. wide variety of uses such as plowing, changeable cutting sections for grader blades. cutting high-angle banks, etc., a great deal of Another object of the invention is to increase cutting is done at the end of the moldboard. The the efcient period of service of .a grader blade.

'i0 provision of separate cutting sections, or end bits, Another object of the invention is to provide t@ which are adapted to be secured to the ends of a cutting section which can be applied to either the moldboard presents many advantages over end of a grader blade.. Y the former practice or bevelling the ends of the Other objects will appear a the description moldboard which are set forth kfully in the appli progresses.

lli cation noted above. Various constructions of such end bits are, known, au or which have a. Desc'wtm 0f figures comme advantageous feature ie Phe re' Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the`blade of a epeetive bits of e' Deir are formed epposltely 5 road machine and also discloses the mounting that each can be applied only to one end of the means therefor. v

2 meldboard- While Working an end bit on e Fig. 2 is a. rearelevation of the blade. zo blade, the lower edge receives the greatest wear. Figs. 3 7 are views of the end bitl applied to Thus. the time of use of such an end bit without the right end of the bladn sharpening and its tta-usefu1 me' are deter Fig. 3 is a-front elevation of the end bit ap' mined by the lower cutting edge, and thel end plied to the b1ade 2 bit has to be sharpened or replaced while the Fig 41s a side elevation :25 sidecutting edge is still effective. Another dis- Fist 5 is a fragmentary section taken on the advantage is in the increased cost of manufacline 5 5 in Fig 3 ture of differently formed end bits for the two Fm 6 is a fragmentary bottom View taken on' ends oi the blade, and the larger number of end the une 6 6 in Fm 4 bits which the dealer has to carry in stock for Fm 7 is a section taken on the une 7 7 in $0 replacements. Fm 4 The present invention eliminates the above ti wie enumerated disadvantages by providing a reversv esem on of e ible end bit' which can be applied to either endl 'Ihe invention is disclosed as embodied in a of the moldboard. Thus the end bits at each grader, aportion of the main framework oi.' which 3i end of the blade are interchangeable, and after is shown at 25 in Fig. 1. The frame of the mathe lower cutting edges, which receive the greatchine is suitably supported on wheels and axles, est wear are dulled, they may be interchanged so wheels 200 being the rear wheels of' the vehicle. that new cutting edges are presented at the lower Said wheels 200 are rotatably mounted on heli 40 edge yof the blade, while the cutting edges at cranks 228,229 pivoted at 204, 20inbrackets 206, W the ends of the blade are still capable of eiec` 207 secured to the ends of rear axle 208. The tive work having received less wear. Thus the upwardly extending arms of cranks 228, 22S are period of service of the blade as a whole is mateinterconnected by bar 230 which is shifted lata rially lengthened and the cost of upkeep of the erally to tilt the wheels.

machine is diminished. The cutting edges on Blade 300 (Fig. v1) consists of cutting edges 301 et the lower edge of the blade are also interchangesecured to moldboard 302 and end bit 600 secured able so that each type o! cutting section applied to moldboard 302 and overlapping cutting edges to the moldboard comprises interchangeable cut- 301. Angle bracket 305 (Figs. 1 and 2) is secured ting sections. to moldboard 302 and angle 306 is secured to the i? The provision oi interchangeable cutting -sectrailing edge of angle 305. Brackets 309 are se- 5@ tions is advantageous to the manufacturer and cured to angle bracket 305. Corresponding dealer as well as to the user. All cutting secbrackets 313 are secured to moldboard' 302. tionsof a type being identically formed, a single Brackets 309, 313 are 'used for connecting the process of manufacture can be used where two blade to the circle assembly in diiel'enii DOSiti0'nS,

are otherwise necessary as, for example, when Blade 300 is supported from circle 315 (Fig. 1) N by the ,from the circle and downwardly, their lower ends being apertured for-connection to brackets 309 (Fig. 1) on angle 305 byA means of pins 323. In order to'rigidly connect the ends of the'beam to the circle, brackets 325, 326 are riveted to end portions 319. 320, respectively. l'Ilieupper ends of brackets 325, 326 are riveted to the ends of `channel 327 which is rigidly connected to circle 315 by brackets. In'addition, the lower end of brackets 325, 326 are rigidly secured by gussets 330, 331V to the lower ends of inclined braces 332,333, the inner ends of which are riveted to channel 327.

The blade 300 is angularly adjustable about the axis of pins 323 to alter the inclination of cutting edges 301 to the surface of the ground. The blade is locked in adjusted position by links 335', onevof which is shown in Fig. 1,which are pivoted at one endr in brackets 313v onl the moldboard and are securedV adjacent the other end tov clamping blocks 341 on the beam. A plurality of brackets 309, 313 is provided so that theblade' may be'connected to the beam in vdifferent transverse positions with'respect'to the surface so that the blade can befn'iadeA to ektendV farther' outwardly toV the left or right of the machine as desired. i

'f Thecircle is revolvablymounted in a' framework consisting of forwardly converging side bars 342, 343 and rear cross bar 344.:` The A`rcarend of side bar 342 is rigidly connectedwith the right 'end-of `bar 344 by bracket T345, 'being bolted to respective webs 346, 347 thereof. s `Similarly the rear endl of side bar 343 is rigidly 4connected with the left end of bar 344 by bracket 348. Side bars y342, 343 converge forwardly and are connected at their front ends. The intermediate portions of the sidey bars are rigidly secured together'by a casting which forms a front support-for the circle. The inwardly extending flange of, the circle:v rests on arcuateledges 352 which are formed integrally with brackets 345, 348. "Similar ledgesjare provided in the casting to support thefront of the circle. The arcuate ledges provide a support; for the circle on which the circle can `be revolved and adjustable means are take up` wear in the amount of play between the circle rand thesupport.

As disclosed in my aforesaid applicationfthe circle supporting framework is connected by drawbars pivotally connected thereto and havluga universal draft connection 'with the malnframe. By reason of the pivotal connection between the drawbars and the'circle supporting framework, the framework, together withthe circle and blade, can be raised and lowered with respect to the drawbars, or, in other words, the' angle between the drawbars and the plane ofthe circle can be varied. By reason of the universal draft connection between the drawbars and the main frame, the circle is capable oi' arcuate movement in horizontal and vertical planes about the pivotal center of the draft connection. As.

the` drawbars arerotatably secured toVV the draft connection; the circle 'can bewoscillated to vary the angle between the circle and the horizontal plane of the main frame.L The desired circle adjustment isusually obtained by combinations of thesefmoveinents. Y

Extensible lift arms are provided to connect the blade and circle assembly to the frame. The` ends of rear cross bar 344 (Fig. 1)' vof the circleA supprovided inthe supports to v partsand to reduce the porting framework are n socket joints 400, 401 to links 402, 403 which telescope ln links 404., 405 and which can be locked together in different positions to provide lift links l `of various lengths. Links 404, 405 are connected to lift arms on shafts mounted on the main frame. Means :are provided for (l) shifting the center of the circle transversely of the machine, (2) shifting thecircle on its owncenter. and (3) adiusting-v the plane of the circle withrespect to the-drawbars. (l) For shiftingthe center of the circle. the supporting frame of the vcircle is adapted to be variously connected by a link to a rack on the main frame `which can be slid transversely of the main frame.l Rear cross bar 344 (Fig. 1) of the circle supporting framework is provided with apertures 500,; 501 adjacent its ends forv connection to a link 502 having a hooked end. The other end of link 502 'is connected to the rack on the main frame Movement of the rack causes link 502 to draw the circle supporting frame transversely and thereby shift the center of the circle.

v(A2) l`fFor-shifting Vthe circle on its center, it is .provided withan arcuate rack 521 (Fig. 1) securedA underneath the inwardly extending flange of circle 315. -Rack 521is engaged by-a pinion which is operatedl in a manner disclosed in my said vapplication to shift `the circle about its center thereby varying the angle of cutting edges `301 with respect. to the longitudinal axis of the vcircle supporting frame, or,- in other words, with respect tothe line of draft. Y'

-2 (3) For adjusting the` plane of the circle with respect to the drawbars, adjustable connecting connectedby ball and Vmeans are providedr therebetween as fully disclosed -in my said application. This adjustment serves to raise or lower the vi'ront end of the circle supporting frame. Such movement variesthe angle of thez cutting edgestwith respect to thesurface of the ground when the blade is in its transverse position as illustratedinFig. 1, and raises or lowers the front end of the blade if it is rotated from its'transverse position. The lowering of the/front endl positions the blade to act as a breaker plow. In such operations the end bits are particularly valuable.

" fBladeandendbits ,Moldboard 302Y (Figs. 3.and 4) is arcuate in shape, the front face 302A (Figs. 4 and 5) being a portion of a cylindrical surface. Thebottom edgevof moldboard 302 is ofl'set to provide a portion 302B to receive cutting sections 301 which have the same curvature as the moldboard. By'V this arrangement the front faces of moldlboard 302 and cutting sections 301 provide an Vvunbroken cylindrical surfacewhich permits easy passage of earth without clogging. The longitudinal edges of cutting section 301 arebevelled at 301A and 301B (Fig. 5) the bevel 301A forming the `cutting edgefand'the bevel 301B serving to yfit the cutting section'into the oil'set of the moldboard without interrupting the cylindrical` surface. Cutting sections 301 (Fig.`1) areremovably attached to offset 302B by means of bolts 301C. fThe'ends 302C (Fig. 7) of moldboard 302 are square,that is; their surface is normal 'surface' ofthe front face of to thecylindrical the moldboard. The Yends, 301D (Fig. 6) of cutare also'square and areilush Ame of the smut.-

' substantially identical and are interchangeable.

as shown by the symmetricall arrangement of bolts 301C in Fig. 2. They are also readily replaced by similar sections to maintain theefllciency of the lower cutting edge.

End bit 600 (Figs. 4 and 5) is formed withthe same curvature as moldboard 302 and cutting section 301. Inner portion 601 (Figs. 5 and 7) has a rear surface 602 which contacts and conforms to the front faceof the moldboard. Front surface 603 of. inner portion 601 of end bit 600 is substantially parallel to rear surface 602, but unlike surface 602, it extends throughout the width of the end bit. Rear surface 602, "on the other hand, terminates at square shoulder 604 on rib 605, which extends throughout the length of end bit 600 on its -back. End bit 600 extends be described in detail.-

' along the end of lei to bevel 301A as shown moldboard 302 and its bottom portion overlaps the outer end of cutting secy tion 301. Shoulder 604 (Fig. 6) 0f rib 605 abuts end 302C of moldboard 302 and end 301D of cutting section 301. Square holes 617 (Figs. '5 and '1) are provided along the inner edge of end bit 600 and are countersunk at 607 for the reception of conical headed square-shanked bolts 606 which pass through alined apertures in' moldboard 302 to fasten end bit 600 in place thereon,

bolts 606 beingv fitted with nuts 608.

The outer portion .609 '(Fig. '1) of end bit 600 is thicker than inner portion 601, the rear surface 610 being spaced further from front surface 603 than rear surface 602. The cutting edge is formed by bevel 611.

The top and bottom edges of end bit 600 are similarly formed and only the bottom edge will Bevel 612 along the bottom edge of end bit 600 provides a continuation of the cutting edge of cutting section 301. An inspection of Figs. 4 to' 6 will show that the lower corner of the blade is thus provided with a thicker, stronger cutting edge. This is a point in the blade where considerable wear takes place. Notice in Fig. 5 that the combined thickness of portion 601 of end bit 600 and of cutting section 301 is available for receiving extra stresses. Bevel 301A on cutting section 301 and bevel 612 on portion 601 of end bit 600 cooperate at this point to form a cutting edge which is stronger and more durable than-the cutting edge ofsection 301 alone. Beyond the end of section 301, end bit 600 (Figs. 4 and 6) is made thicker in portion 609 and is provided with a bevel 615 on the rear face, which bevel is substantially` paralin Fig. 4. The'lower outside corner of end bit 600 is cut offat 614 (Fig. 3) which is the line of intersection of bevels 611 and 612 to make a more durable point and one less apt to break oi than a square corner. Bevel 613 along bit 600 provides a smooth surface for passage of earth over the end bit and moldboard. ABottom bolt 606 (Fig. 5) passes through end bit 600, c utting section 301 and offset portion 302B of mold;- board 302. ,f

The top edge of end bit 600 (Fig. 3) is provided with bevel 612A which, when said end bitis applied to the left end of the moldboard (to the right as viewed in Fig. 1) of the cutting edge of cutting section 301. The bit 600 has bevel 615A (Fig. 4) on its rear face which is similar to bevel615 on the bottom edge. The topoutside corner of end bit-600 is` cut oi at 614A similarly to the lower outside corner at 614. In Figs. 1 and 2 the end 'end bit, rib 605 protects the ends 600 thereon,

blade' engaging portion,

adapted to nt curved face of the grader blade, 'alltthe edgesA the inner edgeV of end provides a continuation bit shown on the left end. of the moldboard has the reference Anum rals applied thereto as though the end bit shown on the right'end'haci'beerrv removed and placed on the bottom edges being reversed. Thus it `is seen, that the moldboard has a station ateach end to which the end bit can be applied.

It is to be noted that in both positions of the 302 'and cutting section 3011i" positions end 'bit prevents the endbit from working loose, and transmits end thrusts and twisting. strains on the end bit directly to themoldboard, thereby relieving bolts 606 from strains tending to breakior wearthe'bolts loose. Thus it is seen that the endbits, as well 'as the cutting sections, are interchangeable, and if an end bit is changed from one end of the moldboard to the other new vided at the place in the substantially continuous cutting -edge which receives a substantial portion of the wear. uous cutting edge comprises (referring to Figa-f1 and 2) 611, 614, 612 and 615, 612 and 301A together, 301A, 301A and 612A together, 612A and 615A, 614A and 611.

I, therefore, claim as my invention: l l. Av scraper blade end bit'formed integrally and having an even concave front face and a convex back face having a longitudinal apertured tudinal portion, and a' longitudinal rib interme- `diate said portions having a blade engaging face,

said blade engaging portion' having a bevelled edge, said second portion ting edge, the ends of said end bit being bevelled on the concave face thereof and on the convex face adjacent said second portion.

2. Al scraper blade end bit formed integrally and having an even concave front `face and a convex back face, a longitudinal apertur'edblade engaging portion having a radius of curvature substantially equal tothe radius of curvature of the blade, and a second thicker longitudinal portion having a blade engaging edge, said end bit having cutting edges on three sides thereof.

3. A cutting section for grader blades having a lconcave front face and a convex back face flush against a complementary thereof being bevelled and the same arcuate surface. y

4. A cutting section for grader blades having substantially parallel opposite bevelled faces, a stiffening rib intermediate said faces and parallel thereto, and third and fourth bevelled faces on opposite edges of said cutting section and substantially normal to said first named faces.

5. A'cutting section forgrader blades having substantially parallel opposite bevelled faces,l and' third and fourth bevelled faces-on'opposite edges *ofV said cutting section and substantially normal lying substantially in to 'said first named faces.

` 6. Ina road'machine, an adjustably supported blade comprising a moldboard, `cutting sections secured thereto, and end bits secured to said moldboard and overlapping said cutting sections, said end bits being interchangeable.

'7. Inga road machine, an adjustably supported bladeV comprising a moldboard, cutting sections secured thereto, Aand end bits secured to said moldboardand overlapping said cutting sections, said ehdbitsbeing interchangeable and said cutting sections being interchangeable; Y j

8. I n a'road machine, an radjustably supported new f e: ien end. the topline s,.-

of moldboard cutting surfaces are pro- This substantially continy a second thicker longihaving a bevelled cut- 35.

adapted to engage against an end of said moldboard.

9. l'I'he combination with a end bit having cutting edges on three sides theredepending upon the end of the scraper blade to which the end bit is secured, anda. face extending between said cutting edges and adapted to engage either end oi'fsaid scraper blade. 13. A scraper blade end lower edge of said scraper blade depending upon the end of the scraper blade to which the end bit is secured, a rib extending between scraper blade, bit extending ting edges and adapted to lie beyond either end of said scraper blade.

between said rst-mentioned cutting edges and adapted to lie always Within the ends of said scraper blade.

15. In a device of the class described, a scraper blade comprising a moldboard, cutting means blade comprising a moldboard,

said second portion.

18. A scraper blade end face and a back face providing a blade-engaging portion, and a second thicker portion adapted adapted to lie beyond an end of said scraper blade, said bit having a frontv blade-engaging portion having a beveled edge, said second portion having a beveled cutting edge, the ends of said end bit beingbeveled on the front face thereof and on the back face adjacent said second portion.

20. In a device of the class described, a scraper blade, and an end bit having upper and lower cutting edges adapting the end bit to be secured .in

operative position to either end ofsaid scraper blade, said end bitbeing Ashaped to lie substantially in and continue the surface of said scraper blade and having a face conforming to the configuration of said scraper blade, said face being adapted to overlap and engage flush against said scraper blade, said scraper blade having a plurality of apertures extending between the top and bottom thereof at each end, and said end bit having similarly disposed apertures extending between the upper and lower cutting edges, all

the apertures being adapted to receive fastening members therethrough to hold the end bit rigidly ush against the scraper blade along the entire area of said scraper blade overlapping said end bit. Y

`21. In a device of the class described, an arcuately shaped scraper blade, and an end bit having a complementary arcuate shape, and upper and lower cutting edges formed on said end bit adapting said end bit to be secured in operative position at either end of said scraper blade with a portion of the back face of said end bit lying flush in overlapping relationship against a portion of the front face of said scraper blade, said scraper blade having a plurality of apertures extending between the top and bottom thereof at each end, the apertures being symmetrically arranged'with respect to the center line of said scraper blade extending between the ends thereof, and said end bit having similarly disposed apertures extending between the upper and lower cutting edges, all the apertures being adapted to receive fastening members therethrough to hold the end bit rigidly flush against the scraper blade along the entire area of said scraper blade overlapping said end bit.

22. In a device of the class described, a scraper blade, an end bit detachably secured to each end of said scraper blade in overlapping relationship with respect thereto, each end bit being shaped to conform to the configuration of said scraper blade so as to lie substantially in and continue the surface of said scraper blade, and means for adapting said end bits for interchangeability, comprising upper and lower cutting edges on each end bit, and a. plurality of fasteners holding each end bit flush against the scraper`blade along the entire overlapping areas thereof.

23. In a device of the class described, a scraper blade, an end bit detachably secured to each end of said scraper blade in overlapping relationship with respect thereto, each end bit being shaped to conform to the configuration of said scraper blade so as to lie substantially in and continue the surface of said scraper blade, and means for adapting said end bits for interchangeability, comprising upper and lower cutting edges on each end bit, and a plurality of fasteners holding each end bit flush against the scraper blade along the entire overlapping areas thereof, said fasteners being symmetrically disposed with respect to the center line of said scraper blade extending between the ends thereof. v

24. In a device of the classdescribed, a scraper blade, an end bit at each end of said scraper' blade in overlapping relationship with respect thereto, said end bits each having an upper cutting edge and a lower cutting edge to adapt said end bitsfor interchangeability, and means for detachably securing said end bits with the entire overlapping areas of the end bits and scraper blade in rigid contact.

25. A scraper blade end bit shaped to be se. cured to said scraper blade vso as to lie flush thereagainst and provide an extension which is of substantially the same transverse coniigur' tion as the transverse configuration of said scraper blade when secured thereto, said end bit having cutting edges at opposite ends thereof and being adapted to be secured at either end of said scraper blade so that either of said cut-v ting edges can be disposed in operative cutting position to cooperate with the lower edge of said scraper blade depending upon the end of the scraper blade to which the end bit is secured.

26. In a device of the class described, an arcuately shaped scraper blade, and an end bit having a complementary arcuate shape, and upper and lower cutting edges formed on said end bit adapting said end bit to be secured in operative position at either end of said scraper blade with a portion of the back face of said end bit lying flush in overlapping relationship against a portion of the front face of said scraper blade, said scraper blade having a plurality of fastening stations extending between the top and bottom thereof at each end, the stations being symmetrically arranged with respect to the center line of said scraper blade extending between the ends thereof, and said end bit having similarly disposed fastening stations extending between the upper and lower cutting edges, all the fastening stations being adapted to cooperate with fasten- 

